Settings & Performance Optimization

Last Updated: June 2025

Get the best performance from ARK Survival Ascended! This guide covers optimal graphics settings, essential launch options, and quality of life configurations to improve your gameplay experience. Note: ARK runs on Unreal Engine 5.5 and is extremely demanding even on high-end hardware.

Quick Performance Boost

Lower Resolution Scale to 70-85% for the biggest FPS boost! Also disable Virtual Shadows with console commands.
🚀 DLSS, FSR & Frame Generation

Important: AMD GPU Issue

FSR 3 Frame Generation is forced ON for AMD GPUs, causing input lag. Use console command to disable.

Upscaling Technology Support:

NVIDIA DLSS 3
  • • RTX 2000+ for DLSS
  • • RTX 4000+ for Frame Gen
  • • Best quality/performance
  • • 60-70% FPS boost
AMD FSR 3
  • • All AMD GPUs
  • • Frame Gen forced ON
  • • Can cause input lag
  • • Disable with console cmd
Resolution Scale
  • • Works on all GPUs
  • • 70-100% range
  • • Best FPS gain method
  • • Some quality loss

Console Commands for Frame Generation:

r.FidelityFX.FI.Enabled 0

Disables FSR Frame Generation (AMD GPUs)

🎮 Optimal Graphics Settings

Recommended Settings by Hardware:

💎 High-End PC (RTX 4080+)

Display:

  • • Resolution: Native
  • • Resolution Scale: 100%
  • • Window Mode: Fullscreen
  • • VSync: Off
  • • Frame Rate: Uncapped

Quality:

  • • Global Quality: High
  • • View Distance: Epic
  • • Shadows: High (no Virtual)
  • • Textures: Epic
  • • Effects: High
  • • Global Illumination: High
⚡ Mid-Range PC (RTX 3060-4070)

Display:

  • • Resolution: 1080p
  • • Resolution Scale: 90-100%
  • • Window Mode: Fullscreen
  • • VSync: Off
  • • Frame Rate: Uncapped

Quality:

  • • Global Quality: Medium
  • • View Distance: High
  • • Shadows: Medium
  • • Textures: High
  • • Effects: Medium
🔧 Low-End PC / Better FPS

Display:

  • • Resolution: 1080p or lower
  • • Resolution Scale: 70-85%
  • • Window Mode: Fullscreen
  • • VSync: Off
  • • Frame Rate: Uncapped

Quality:

  • • Global Quality: Low
  • • View Distance: Medium
  • • Shadows: Low
  • • Textures: Medium
  • • Effects: Low

Critical Performance Settings:

Always Disable These:

  • • Foliage & Fluid Interaction
  • • Motion Blur
  • • Cinematic Lighting (huge FPS hit)
  • • Virtual Shadows (use console)
💻 Performance Console Commands

Press TAB to open console, then enter these commands for better FPS:

r.VolumetricCloud 0

Disables volumetric clouds (+5-10 FPS)

r.VolumetricFog 0

Disables volumetric fog effects (+3-5 FPS)

r.Water.SingleLayer.Reflection 0

Reduces water reflections (+2-5 FPS)

grass.densityScale 1

Reduces grass density (default 3, lower = better FPS)

grass.sizeScale 0.5

Makes grass shorter (default 1, more visible)

r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable 0

Disables Virtual Shadows (+4-6% FPS, fixes flickering)

r.Lumen.Reflections.Enable 0

Disables Lumen reflections (+8-10% FPS near water)

r.DistanceFieldShadowing 1

Optimizes shadow rendering

Save these permanently by adding to Engine.ini file (see below) or use pipe "|" to chain commands!
🚀 Steam Launch Options

How to Set Launch Options:

  1. Right-click ARK in Steam Library
  2. Select "Properties"
  3. Under "General" tab, find "Launch Options"
  4. Enter the following options
Essential Launch Options:
-USEALLAVAILABLECORES -high -lowmemory -nomansky

-USEALLAVAILABLECORES - Uses all CPU cores

-high - Sets process priority to high

-nomansky - Disables some sky effects

-lowmemory - Reduces memory usage

Additional Options (Optional):
  • -sm4 - Forces DirectX 10 mode (last resort for FPS)
  • -d3d10 - Forces DirectX 10 (major visual downgrade)
  • -novsync - Disables VSync if stuck on
  • -maxMem=X - Limits memory usage (X in MB)
  • -cpuCount=X - Manually set CPU core count
💾 Saving Console Commands Permanently

How to Save Commands:

Navigate to: ARK Survival Ascended\ShooterGame\Saved\Config\Windows\

Edit Engine.ini:
[/script/engine.renderersettings]
r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable=0
r.VolumetricCloud=0
r.VolumetricFog=0

[/script/engine.systemsettings]
grass.densityScale=1
grass.sizeScale=0.5

Note: Use "=" in files, not spaces like console

Chaining Commands in Console:

Use pipe "|" with spaces to run multiple commands:

grass.densityScale 1 | r.Shadow.Virtual.Enable 0 | r.VolumetricCloud 0
🪟 Windows System Optimizations

Windows Settings for Gaming:

1. Enable Game Mode

Settings → Gaming → Game Mode → ON

Prioritizes game performance

2. Hardware GPU Scheduling

Settings → Display → Graphics → Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling → ON

Reduces latency and improves performance

3. Power Settings

Control Panel → Power Options → High Performance

Prevents CPU/GPU throttling

4. Enable Resizable BAR

Check motherboard BIOS settings

Essential for modern GPUs - up to 10% gain

5. Disable Memory Integrity

Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation → OFF

Significant FPS improvement

🎯 Quality of Life Server Settings

For single-player or private servers, these settings improve the experience:

Recommended QoL Settings:

Setting Recommended Effect
Taming Speed 2.0 - 5.0x Faster taming
Harvest Amount 2.0 - 3.0x More resources per hit
XP Multiplier 2.0 - 3.0x Faster leveling
Breeding Maturation 5.0 - 10.0x Babies grow faster
Stack Size 5.0 - 10.0x Carry more items
Stamina Drain 0.5x Run/fly longer
Food Drain 0.5x Eat less often

Player Stat Settings:

  • Health/Stamina/Weight per level: 2.0-2.5x
  • Movement Speed: Enable if desired (disabled on official)
  • Fortitude per level: 2.0x (temperature resistance)
🔧 Common Performance Issues
Problem: Constant Crashes

Solutions:

  • Verify game files in Steam
  • Update graphics drivers
  • Lower texture quality if out of VRAM
  • Add -lowmemory launch option
  • Close background applications
Problem: Stuttering/Hitching

Solutions:

  • Disable Windows fullscreen optimizations
  • Set shader cache to unlimited in GPU settings
  • Move game to SSD if on HDD
  • Disable overlays (Discord, Steam, etc.)
Problem: Low FPS in Bases

Solutions:

  • Reduce view distance temporarily
  • Lower shadow quality
  • Limit light sources in base
  • Use fewer glass structures
  • Consider structure limit mods

⚡ Quick Performance Checklist

Instant FPS Gains:

  • ☐ Lower Resolution Scale (70-85%)
  • ☐ Disable Virtual Shadows
  • ☐ Disable Foliage Interaction
  • ☐ Turn off Motion Blur
  • ☐ Apply console commands

Long-term Solutions:

  • ☐ Update all drivers
  • ☐ Optimize Windows
  • ☐ Clean install if needed
  • ☐ Consider hardware upgrade
  • ☐ Monitor temperatures
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